When the Darkness Seems too Strong

This week many of us were completely outraged – first of all by the fact that robot brothels even exist in the world – and secondly that our city was being targeted as a host city for such a business. One day this week I called a friend for prayer because besides the robot brothel ordeal, I was confronted by two other very troublesome realities that are dark beyond belief. There was a heaviness in my soul. As we prayed, my friend reminded me of something very important that I want to pass along to someone else who may be feeling a bit hopeless by the condition of our culture.

In the fight against human trafficking, there is a temptation to get overly preoccupied with the darkness. I’m sure Satan enjoys the attention, and the subtle danger is that we begin to unconsciously ascribe too much power to the enemy and the dark forces at work in the world. John 1:5 says, “Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.” This means that though sin is disastrous and has unleashed so much gloom and pain and perversion, it will not be triumphant. The darkness will never be able to snuff out or overtake the light. We are fighting from a place of victory. The enemy knows his ship is going down, and we are with Jesus on a rescue mission to get as many people off that ship as possible. Jesus stretched out his arms and let himself be nailed to a cross so that anyone and everyone who believes on His name will know what it means to be rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of His marvelous light.

My friend’s challenge to me was, for every minute I’m listening, reading or confronting the darkness in some way, I spend double the amount of time worshipping, praying, reading and meditating on the Word – focusing my gaze on Jesus.

It’s also important to remember that there is wisdom we need to apply in this battle. Scripture tells us to be, “shrewd as serpents, but innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). We are also instructed to, “take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them” (Eph. 5:11). This means there are issues The Church must face and discuss – like robot brothels, pornography, prostitution – and at the same time guard our hearts and minds so as not to have our hearts stained by the world (James 1:27). The enemy would love to take us out and render us useless and ineffective. This is another important reason for keeping our gaze on Jesus – so that we can know His will and walk in discernment as we go(Romans 12:1-2).

May God help us be immovable in our belief that we gain the victory as we set our gaze and affections on the might, the power, the goodness, the glory, the justice, the mercy, the love, the grace and the beauty of our God! This is our protection from the enemy, this is where we find our confidence and courage, this is where the daily victories will be secured.

I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD and seeking Him in His temple. For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent: He will set me high on a rock. Then my head will be high above my enemies who surround me.– Psalm 27:4-5